OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1926, Page 10

OBITUARY.

METHODIST MINISTER.

REV. AMOS READER. A much respected minister of the Methodist Church, the Rev. Amos Reader, died at Dargaville on Friday last. He was educated at Prince Albert College. Auckland, and on later entering the ministry proved himself a good preacher as well as pastor. He also possessed capabilities which caused him to be selected for secretarial duties in various districts. Mr. Reader was in the ministry for 25 years, anu was in charge of Kingsland Methodist Church prior to being appointed Superintendent of the Northern Wairoa Metho list circuit. REV. WM. BARNETT. The death occurred on Friday of a well-known resident in the person of thy Rev. Win. Barnett, who was in his 81st year. Born at Monmoutb, Wales, in 1544. the deceased crentleman came to New Zealand with his parents in 180:1 by the ship Captain Cook, residing for a time at Lrttelton. and later he was in charge of the Congregational Church at Akaroa. In 1891 he resigned and accepted the charge of the Baptist Church at Sydenham. Mr. Barnett was later engaged in farming in tie Wairarapa. and in 1905 came to Tauranga. where he was instrumental in getting the Baptist Church built. The deceased purchased land at Kaimai but had resided in the town, wher he had always taken an interest in any movement for the advancement of the district. He .s survived by one daughter, Mrs. R. Biilwell. of this town. MRS. A. C. VOSPER. The death occurred of an old and highly respected resident of Matamata, Mrs. A. C. Vosper. at Matamata, on Thursday, in her 40th year. The deceased was a prominent figure in local social affairs, especially hi Methodist Church work. She had been one of the mainstays of her Church, and held the offices of secretary of the Women* Auxiliary, and member of the Ladies' Guild. As a church worker she will be sadly missed. Mrs. Vosper was also a valued member of the Matamata Golf Club. The deceased, who had been in hospital for some eisht weeks before she died, was nearly 46 years of ape. having been born at Oxford (Canterbury) on .Tune 24. 18S0. a daughter of the late Rev. John Pendray (Methodist). Her people moved to different parishes throughout the Dominion, in accordance with the Method- s st system: in this case more especially through the Tarana-ki district. In 1005 she married Mr. A. C. Vosper (brother of Mr. J. F. Vosper. of Matamata). the couple taking up their residence at Midhurst (Taranaki). where they lived for about six years. They then bouffht a farm at Turanga-o-moana (Matamata). where they resided for several years. ultimately selling out and buying the present farm on Hinnera Road. Matamata. . The deceased leaves a widower and thre? children. Misses Gwen, Elenor and Mr. Jack Vosper. MRS. E. A. KNIGHT. Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Knight, relict of the late Mr. David Knight, of Hawera, passed away at the residence of her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. F. O. Knight, of Matamata, last week. The deceased was 74 years of age, had come to Matamata to assist in nursing her sen, and was herself taken ill and died. She was born on February 29, 1852, at Lower Hutt, and lived in the Wellington province until ISS3. She then (with her husband.) moved to Taranaki, and resided there until 1925, the. year of the decease of Mr. Knight. The widow, ■who had since been staying with members of the family in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty districts, leaves a family of four sons and six daughters. Messrs. P. G. Knight, Tartarimaki (Taranaki}, H. M. Knight, of Araia (Te Kuiti), J. O. Knight, of Matamata, Mesdames H. C. Dudley, Pihama (Taranaki). H. J. Rowe (Tauranga), .T. B. Lander. Omokoroa (Tauranga), H. Stringer (Huntervilie.) F. Edwards (Hamilton).

MRS. WATSON'S FUTTERAL

The funeral of Mrs. Ann Watson, which took place yesterday at Purewa cemetery, was very largely attended by her relatives and friends. When the hearse left St. Matthew's Church at 2.15 o'clock the footpaths on both sides of the road near the church were crowded with people, many of whom were very old. The coffin lid had been left unclosed right till the hour of starting, and many of the old folk took a tearful farewell of their aged friend. The signs of affection for one who had done bo much good in her lifetime, and who was always ready to help others, were sincere and deep. As the cortege moved off, the bells of St. Matthew's pealed out the chimes of her favourite hymn, "Abide With Me." There were grandchildren and great-grandchildren preseDt, and the Hospital Board was represented by Mr. W. Wallace (chairman) and Mr. W. K. Howitt. The body was laid to reet in the family plot, where her husband, David Watson, who died in 1902. aged 78. was buried; also a son. aged 51. who died in 1909. There were many beautiful wreaths, and the Rev. Grant Cowen officiated at the graveside.